Jessie Lavon
Artist Jessie Lavon speaks of herself as a sharecropper’s daughter. She remembers that very sharecropper, her mother, as the best friend she ever had. She remembers a lot about the old days when she was a child on the farm in southern Alabama. She remembers details about the old ways of getting things done back then, and she remembers the simple pleasures that brought joy to her as a child.
But she hasn’t always remembered. In 1989 a cerebral hemorrhage left her with a huge gap in her memory. She recognized her mother, and started to recall her childhood. She began to paint what she remembered, and as she painted, she remembered more and more.
Her young childhood had been spent surrounded by relatives. The family raised, prepared, and preserved all their own food, relying on even the smallest members to do their part. There was a mysterious ritual passed down from her Native American ancestors to assure the rain would come when the crops were dry. The Snake Tree Ceremony involved a hollow tree, the killing of a snake, and secret incantations.
When farm work, housework, and schoolwork were done Jessie and the other children had fun catching lightning bugs, picking dandelions, and fishing. One of the relatives ran a general store where they spent their pennies on candy. Jessie’s little dog Augie was a part of all her adventures and so he usually makes an appearance in her paintings. Eventually Jessie relearned some basic skills that she had lost - reading, writing, arithmetic - but not at her prior level. Now, years later, she no longer has a shortage of stories and she continues to paint every day. A cheerful grandmother of many, she spends her time gardening, canning, painting, and enjoying life. Jessie tells us that her highest honor as an artist was being a part of the annual Kentuck Festival for many years alongside great folk artists like Charlie Lucas, Woodie Long, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, and Mose Tolliver. She misses the fellowship of these old friends. Though the other three have since passed away, Charlie Lucas stays in contact and usually makes an appearance at the annual art show that Jessie organizes in her neighborhood.
Jessie Lavon shares some of her stories and her line drawings in her recently published book “Of Time n’ Places: The Story of a Sharecropper’s Daughter.”
Greensboro, AL
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photo courtesy Todd A. Price
Historic Alexander Dickson House
Hillsborough Visitors Center
150 E. King St
Hillsborough, NC 27278
daily 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
SINS WASHED AWAY
acrylic paint, bottle caps, beads, buttons on antique tin shingle
14" wide x 17" high
including caps and beads
$300
EATING WATERMELONS
acrylic paint, bottle caps, beads, buttons on antique tin shingle
14" wide x 17" high
including caps and beads
$300
CATCHING LIGHTNING BUGS
acrylic paint, bottle caps, beads, buttons on antique tin shingle
14" wide x 17" high
including caps and beads
SOLD
QUILT SALE
acrylic paint, bottle caps, beads, buttons on antique tin shingle
14" wide x 17" high
including caps and beads
$300
BLUE MOON HONKY TONK
acrylic paint, bottle caps, beads, buttons on antique tin shingle
14" wide x 17" high
including caps and beads
$300
Jessie tells her stories in her book
Find it on Amazon
To make these new mixed media pieces
Jessie used antique tin roofing shingles that she salvaged from her grandmother's 19th century house.
She wired on bottle caps, beads, and buttons after painting.
#2
(7")
HAINT DOLLS
Jessie follows a strict tradition passed through generations to create these dolls to ward off evil spirits. Each element is carefully chosen and prepared.
$175 each
#1
(10")
#3
(5")
SINS WASHED AWAY
14" x 11"
acrylic on canvas
$200
THE SNAKE TREE
CEREMONY
14" x 11"
acrylic on canvas
$200
CATCHING
LIGHTNING BUGS
14" x 11"
acrylic on canvas
$200
RAINY DAY PLAYING
IN THE ATTIC
14" x 11"
acrylic on canvas
SOLD
ROASTING MARSHMALLOWS
14" x 11"
acrylic on canvas
$200
BLUE MOON HONKY TONK
11" x 14"
acrylic on canvas
SOLD
PENNY CANDY
14" x 11"
acrylic on canvas
SOLD
FISHING
14" x 11"
acrylic on canvas
$200
PICKING DANDELIONS
14" x 11"
acrylic on canvas
SOLD
"LITTLE DITTIES"
acrylic paintings on metal
canning jar lids
each with a tiny hole for hanger, nail, or pin
3.25" diameter
$45 each
SOLD
HELD OVER!
SOLD
EATING WATERMELONS
14" x 11"
acrylic on canvas
$200
"Paintin' Mama's Stories: Art from Life in Alabama's Black Belt"
This episode of the podcast "Alabama Folk" features
a great interview with Jessie Lavon!
Produced by the Alabama Folklife Association (alabamafolklife.org).
A SHARECROPPER'S DAUGHTER:
FOLK ART by JESSIE LAVON
A MESSAGE FROM JESSIE
Early in January 2024, Jessie Lavon issued a statement of her intention to “permanently step down from the folk art world.” While expressing gratitude to all who have supported her, she states that her “art will no longer be for sale once the current inventory is sold out.” Mike’s Art Truck and PossumCounty.com will be the only two galleries that will continue to offer her current inventory for sale. We are grateful to the artist for trusting us with her work. Lavon remains cheerful about her decision as she plans to enjoy more time gardening, canning, and tending her grandchildren.
See Jessie's Statement Here.
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
14" x 11"
acrylic on canvas
$200
PICKING COTTON
14" x 11"
acrylic on canvas
$200
STEALING WATERMELONS
14" x 11"
acrylic on canvas
$200
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